Have you ever finished a job interview and thought, "I wish I had said that better"? If so, you're not alone. Job interviews can be stressful, especially when you're speaking English as a second language.
The good news? Most mistakes are easy to fix once you know what they are.
In this article, we'll go over five common mistakes English learners make in job interviews and how you can avoid them.
Mistake 1: Talking Too Much Without a Clear Point
Why it happens: You're nervous and want to show everything you know. You may go off-topic or give too much detail.
The problem: Long answers can confuse the interviewer. They might lose interest or miss your main point.
How to fix it:
- Use a clear structure, like the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
- Keep your answers short and focused. Aim for about one minute.
- Let the interviewer ask for more if they want to know more.
Tip: Practise with a friend or teacher and ask, "Was my answer clear?"
Mistake 2: Using Difficult Words You're Not Confident With
Why it happens: You want to sound smart or professional.
The problem: If you forget the word or say it wrong, you might get stuck or feel embarrassed.
How to fix it:
- Use simple words you’re comfortable with.
- Speak clearly and naturally.
- Practise saying your answers out loud before the interview.
Remember: It's better to speak simple English well than complicated English badly
Mistake 3: Not Saying What Happened at the End
Why it happens: You focus so much on the story that you forget the result.
The problem: Employers want to know what changed because of your actions.
How to fix it:
Always say what happened in the end. What was the result?
Even small results are important: "We met the deadline," or "The client was happy."
Quick phrase to use: "As a result, we..."
Mistake 4: Not Using Real-Life Examples
Why it happens: You focus on grammar and forget about your own experiences.
The problem: Your answers sound too general. The interviewer wants to hear real stories about you.
How to fix it:
- Think of 3 to 5 real examples from your life: maybe a school project, a problem you solved at work, or a team activity.
- Practise telling these stories using the STAR method.
Tip: Your story doesn’t have to be exciting—just real and clear.
Mistake 5: Speaking Too Formally or Too Casually
Why it happens: It’s hard to know how formal to be in a second language.
The problem: If you're too formal, you sound stiff. If you're too casual, you might seem unprofessional.
How to fix it:
Think of the interview as a respectful conversation.
Practise your tone and body language.
Use friendly, polite phrases like:
"That’s a great question."
"Let me give you an example."
"What I learned from this was..."
Job interviews are hard for everyone. When you speak English as a second language, it takes even more courage.
The key is to prepare, practise, and focus on improving step-by-step.
At Intrepid English, we help you get ready with real support. If you are a member of the Intrepid English Academy, check out our Job Interview Preparation Course, in which you will:
- Practise answering real interview questions
- Get feedback to help you improve
- Build confidence through practice
Want to feel more confident and make fewer mistakes?
Book a £1 trial lesson to start today.